Old Tokaido and Hakone Checkpoint

Hakone, once a vital checkpoint along the Tokaido, the major highway between Tokyo and Kyoto during the Edo period, is now home to a reconstruction of the historic Hakone Checkpoint. This checkpoint, rebuilt in 2007, features gates, officer housing, a prison chamber, and a lookout tower, giving visitors a glimpse into its past role in controlling the flow of people and goods. Nearby, the Hakone Sekisho Shiryokan museum showcases exhibits related to the checkpoint's history.

Visitors can also explore the Cedar Avenue, a preserved section of the old Tokaido, stretching from Moto-Hakone to Hakone-Yumoto. This scenic walk, featuring original stone pavement, takes you past the Amasake Chaya tea house, where you can enjoy amazake and snacks. Though some sections are not particularly scenic, the trail provides an immersive experience into the life of the Edo period, with museums and life-size reconstructions explaining the checkpoint's significance.